For years, prudence in the transfer market has frustrated Arsenal fans who hoped to see big names being signed up. However, Gazidis promises to escalate the club’s spending next season and rival the richest clubs for Europe’s biggest names.

“This year we are beginning to see something we have been planning for some time – the escalation in our financial firepower.” said Gazidis.

“We have a certain amount of money which we have held in reserve,

“We also have new revenue streams coming on board and all of these things mean we can do some things which would excite you.”

The ‘revenue streams’ mentioned by Gazidis refers to the major commercial deals struck with airline giants, The Emirates as well as kit-manufacturers, Puma through which the club are expected to gross more than £300million by 2015, moving them into the same financial territory as Barcelona and European champions Bayern Munich.

When asked if the club were ready to finally break their rigid wage-structure and bring in a marquee signing, Gazidis responded quite emphatically – “We could do that, we could do more than that.”

The 26-year-old was the top scorer in Serie A last term but his 29 league goals could only propel Napoli to finish 9 points behind champions Juventus. The prolific forward is expected to leave San Paolo this summer due to interest shown in him by top European clubs, but with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis adamant over his £53 million release clause, there are only a few clubs who can afford him.

Chelsea are reportedly favourites for the Uruguay international and have already sounded out Napoli for a potential deal. Fernando Torres continues to be a flop at Stamford Bridge, and Jose Mourinho is eager to land Cavani to fire in the goals for the Blues next season. According to Metro, Napoli are in talks with Chelsea over the sale of their star striker.

De Laurentiis said, “On Cavani there is big interest in him from Chelsea. Chelsea have called me and I expect they will again in the next few hours. If he ends up staying in Napoli, I will be happy. If he goes, we’ll replace him with the money we get for his sale.”

Chelsea will, however, have to stump out close to £53 million to land their man but are expected to use fringe players like Marko Marin and Oriol Romeu in a player-plus-cash deal to reduce the staggering fee.

Inter Milan have been long-term admirers of the 24-year-old, and have been chasing the midfielder for over a year. While previously acknowledging his intent to stay in his homeland, Paulinho has now suggested that he could be open to play his football abroad.

Jose Mourinho has been linked with a host of players since confirming his appointment as Chelsea manager and hopes to convince the defensive-minded midfielder to join him at Stamford Bridge next season.

However, according to talkSPORT, the Brazil international is instead eyeing a move to Inter Milan and has no qualms in playing for the Italian outfit despite the lack of Champions League football next year.

On being asked about the potential interest shown by Inter who are without European football, Paulinho, who currently plays for Corinthians, revealed that he would willingly move on this summer. He said, “It’s not a problem, I would go willingly. I need the right offer though.”

The young defender has had an impressive campaign personally this time around, however it was not enough to save his club from being sucked into the Championship following their relegation. His performances have not gone unnoticed as he has attracted the attention of a host of clubs, with the name of Liverpool being the most prominent.

The Reds are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements this summer, following the retirement of Jamie Carragher and the uncertain future of Slovakian international Martin Skrtel. Therefore, manager Brendan Rodgers is shortlisting prospective new faces at Anfield for next season, and now joining the list is Pearce. Rodgers does have some knowledge of Pearce as the two did work together briefly back in 2009 during Rodgers’ short stint in charge as Royals boss. Therefore he could be keen to reunite with the 24-year old at Liverpool.

The Republic of Ireland international is set to become a free agent in a month’s time, as numerous talks between him and Reading have not been successful. Despite of this, club’s director of football Nick Hammond still was hopeful of reaching a late agreement with him. He was reported by talkSPORT as saying, ”We have been speaking to him with regards to his contract throughout the season. Unfortunately, up until this point we have not managed to find a deal which is mutually acceptable to both parties.

“I am keen however, now the season has finished, to have a further conversation with Alex and his representatives to understand his thoughts and give him the club’s final position.”

Will Liverpool get their man? Or will he make a dramatic u-turn and sign a new deal at Reading?

After yet another scintillating season in which he was crowned Serie A top scorer, Edinson Cavani has become one of the hottest properties in Europe this summer with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, as well as Real Madrid, all interested in acquiring his services.

However, Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentis has no intentions of selling the 26-year-old for anything below his buy-out clause, which is set at £54million.

Talksport have quoted Laurentis as saying, “Cavani has another four years left to run on his contract and the buy-out fee is 63 million euros,”

“We have received offers from him but for figures much lower than the release clause.”

In a recent press conference, Higuain confirmed that he would be leaving the club after spending six-years in the Spanish capital during which he bagged an impressive tally of 122 goals.

Despite interest from the likes of Juventus, Liverpool, and Spurs, the Argentinian hitman stated that a switch to the Emirates would suit him nicely.

‘There have already been offers and I hope that Madrid do the best for me and themselves,’ said Higuain.

‘Arsenal? They would suit me, I’m still young and I have goals.

‘There are many possibilities. I want to go to a league where I’ll be put to the test.’

The Gunners have also been linked with Montenegrin striker, Stevan Jovetic as well as want-away Manchester United star, Wayne Rooney. However, with Fiorentina reluctant to sell and Rooney demanding exorbitant wages, the Gunners would be looking to step up their chase for the 25-year-old

Wenger had been tracking the Welshman back when he was a young full-back at Southampton. However, the Gunners’ boss believed he had enough left-backs in his squad and decided against a bid for Bale who has now transformed from a full-back into one of the most feared attackers on the planet.

“We didn’t take him as we had Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy and didn’t want another left-back,” Wenger stated

“I must confess it was a huge mistake as he can play in midfield. He struggled at the start at Tottenham, then they moved him to midfield and he has done exceptionally well.

“The career of a player sometimes depends on playing in the right position.

“He has the potential. Now it depends on his consistency at the top level and injuries.”

However, Wenger did manage to see his glass half-full as he praised the capture of English star, Theo Walcott - ”But we could get Walcott and I am very happy. You’d be amazed by the number of players we should have signed. Every club misses players.”

The Frenchman was signed by the Gunners from Lorient in the summer of 2010 for a fee of £10million. He played a pivotal role in the club’s 10-game unbeaten run towards the end of last term which helped them secure 4th spot.

However, the 27-year-old has greater ambitions than the ’4th place trophy’ and has threatened to leave the club unless they start realistically challenging for silverware.

‘I want to win a championship,’ he said.

‘I don’t want to be fighting like we have this season because it was very tiring psychologically.

‘I feel good at Arsenal, if we have ambition to fight against the other teams of course I want to stay here.

‘We are always under pressure, a season without the Champions League for Arsenal is catastrophic.

‘I have the desire to add to my list of honours. I hope the club will give me the means. If this weren’t the case, I’d look elsewhere.’

This has encouraged Bayern Munich to step up their chase as they ready a £15million for the centre-half who still has 4 years left on his current Arsenal contract.

The young striker has taken the French league by storm this season, and his 19 league goals have seen him walk into the Ligue 1 team of the season. His consistent performances in front of goal over the season have seen a list of top clubs sit up and take notice of him.

The Gabon international was highly courted by the London trio of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham who are all looking to shore up their attack ahead of next season. Along with the English clubs, there has been strong interest from clubs in the German Bundesliga along with that in the Italian Serie A.

However, joining the list of suitors are now Russian outfit Anzhi, who are using their striker Eto’o to convince Abumeyang to make the switch to Russia. The financially loaded club are also ready to offer the forward an £8.5 million signing-on fee, as well as a £6 million-a-year salary to get him interested.

With clubs lining up for his signature, the decision which this highly coveted striker takes shall be interesting. Will he join one of the English clubs and build his career, or will the lure of a bumper pay day be too good to turn down?

The 24-year old has caught the attention of a handful of clubs including Arsenal due to his impressive performances from the heart of midfield. He has shone this season for Toulouse and is being courted by the club’s domestic rivals and free spending duo of Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco as well.

They both have made initial inquiries for the midfield enforcer and are thought to be keen to shore up their respective midfield with the capture of Capoue. English giants Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger too is thought to be an admirer of the holding midfielder and is reportedly eyeing a move for him in the coming weeks as a suitable back-up for stand-in captain Mikel Arteta next season.

The recurring injuries to Abou Diaby and the imminent departure of Francis Coquelin are set to leave the Gunners short in numbers in the defensive midfield department, therefore a move for Capoue could very well take place soon.

However, Toulouse’s coach Alain Casanova has revealed his and the club’s desire to retain his services if possible. He was reported by talkSPORT as saying, ”I am going to be selfish and say I wish he could stay and remain with us.

“If he does leave, we would wish him good luck after everything he has given us.”